Construction of containers



R. B. MELLER CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINERS Nov. 7, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 26, 1945 ELL .1

INVENTOR. REGINALD B. MELLER l fiux H.

ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 R. B. MELLER 2,528,900

CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 26, 1945 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ELL g.5

I Z I. i L

I INVENTOR. REGINALD 5. MELLER ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1950 Filed Feb. 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 B H 3 w f 7 1 m 2 Z Z 0 My 5 3 Lul llllk L|,|| 0 0 1/ 4 A H M v 0 7 M 2 N MJ L a 0 9 Z W 5 0 N E Q 2 u E 0 0 M u A 4 5 In l 1 \4 3 N/ 3 7 Z .J 2 n f L w d u v 6 INVENTOR. PEG/Ammo B. MEL LEA ATTORNE Nov. 7, 1950 R. B. MELLER 2,528,900

CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 26, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I'LL JS INVENTOR. REGINALD 5. MELLER ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1950 CONSTRUCTION or CONTAINERS Reginald B. Meller, Oakland, Calif., assignor to Bemiss-Jason Company, a corporation of California Application February 26, 1945, Serial No. 579,727

7 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved container and more particularly to one formed from creasable sheet material having a certain degree of stiffness and resiliency such as is found in some types of cardboard, thin sheetmetal, flexible plastic sheet material and the like.

In my Patent No. 2,366,419 issued January 2, 1945, I have disclosed a container made of the aforementioned materials and wherein each corner was formed and locked by a cut in one corner element engaging a cut in another corner element in a line-to-line engagement instead of the hook or point-to-point engagement characteristic of prior containers. As will appear upon a detailed consideration of that patent, one of the cuts was provided by cutting inwardly from the edge of a corner element a sufficient distance to provide the requisite length of line contact with the cut in the other corner element upon subsequent assembly. While this was quite satisfactory, I have nowbeen able to improve upon the construction in the following particulars:

First, the construction of the container, in accordance with this invention, is such that I am able to use a creasable sheet material of less stiffness and strength than is required in the construction of my patent and still provide a out the side or end elements spreading away' from one another.

Fifth, in accordance with this invention th blanks providing the containers can be cut in a continuous side-by-side relationship, thus effecting a material economy in the stock from which the containers are manufactured and, what is possibly even more important, obviating entirely the necessity to strip any cut out portions from each blank as they are manufactured. In the manufacture of a great number of container blanks, the removal of cut out portions is extremely troublesome, expensive and requires considerable care and accuracy if the blanks are not to be injured. This is particularly so if the I elements.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a blank-illustrating another form of my improved container.

Figure 6 is an outside view in perspective of a corner of the container formed from the blanks shown in Figure 5, while Figure? is an inside view in perspective of the same corner.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a corner element illustrating the construction and relation between the several components.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of blank from which an improved container of this invention can be formed.

Figure 10 is an outside view in perspective of a corner formed of'the modified improved container.

Figure 11 is an inside view in perspective of the same corner.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of another modified form illustrating one corner construction of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a plan view of a portion of a corner of another modified form of container.

Figure 14 illustrates the container shown in partial plan view in Figure 13 assembled partially, while Figure 15 shows the container com pletely assembled.

In Figures 9-12, I have illustrated a form of blank in which only a single lock is provided, the cut 29 being totally omitted and the lock being by reason of the engagement, in a faceto-face contact, of the cuts 21 and- I9.

In its preferred form, referring particularly 'to Figures 1 through 4, my invention provides for a container blank 5 of substantially rectangular form and scored as at in, 22 and 3D, to define a bottom section I and side and end wall sections 9 and II, respectively. Extending from each end of an end wall section II, and preferably integral therewith, is a wing 13 separated from the adjacent side wall section 9 by cut 40. The

free edge l5 of wing l3 terminates preferably in alignment with the free longitudinal edge I! of the adjacent side wall section 9. It will be noted that the container blank is rectangular in outline and that no cut out portions are provided. The blank can therefore be cut continuously from a continuous strip without any wastage whatsoever except the material cut off as trim along each end wall section II, edges 55 and I! on one blank being common to the adjacent blank and being formed on the two adjacent blanks by one cut.

Each side wall section 9, in proximity to each end thereof, is provided with a cut 19, this out being made at some distance in from the free longitudinal edge I! of the side and in a direction preferably at an acute angle to the cut 40. Each side wall section 9 also includes a cut 29 extending parallel to cut .0 and with cut !9 forming a slot opening toward the wing [3.

Each end wall'wing I3 is suitably out to be received cooperatively in the slot providedby cuts i9 and 2G in the adjacent side wall when the side and end walls are formed into corner forming position as in Figures 2 and 3, usually at 90 to one another. To ensure that cut 27 and cut is inter-engage in the desired line-to line contact, cut 27 is formed in a direction normal to that of out I9 and at such a distance from the center or apex 23 of the corner that the inner edge of .cut 2'! falls inside of the end of cut [9. 21 and cut 19 terminate upon a circle swung about center 23, the cuts then terminating at the same radial distance from center 23 about which the end wall and side wall swing into position. Cut I8 can extend inwardly a greater distance ifdesired.

One can utilize the construction so far. defined in which case the corner will look only due to the line-to-line engagement of cuts l9 and 2'I.

However, by providing cut 29 in each wing ii! at the same radial distance from center '23; ascut 20, an additional interlocking engagement is provided, cut 29 also being normal to cut 20. The blank is now in condition to be assembled into a container. In forming the box, the side wall and end wall sections 9 and II of the blank are creased along the score lines In, 22 and 36 of the blank to form the respective side walls and .end walls, and either simultaneously with or following such creasing, the side walls 9 are pressed inwardly at the same time that the end wall sections II are moved inwardly on the bottom 7. The wings 13 are also moved about crease lines 22, the slots formed bycuts I5 and 29 being opened and locking tab 33 moved intoposition to lock the end walls, the wings, the

sides, and the bottom inposition as appears in;

Figures 2 and 3. Referring to Figure 3, it is to be noted that the tab portion 33 of, the wing 13 which extends into cuts 19 and 29;.engages bottom i and so provides a support for the wing i directly'upon the bottomof the container while.

the entireend of the side wallabuts the end wall. This is of material; advantage, enabling a lighter stock or one having less stiffness to be employed at the same time that a more rugged and rigid container is provided.

I have previously indicated in connection with the structure shown in Figures 1 through 4 that one or two locks could be provided between the several elements making up each corner ofthe container. In the modification shown This can be ensured by having cut.

in Figures5-8, .two locks are also proyided, Howe.

ever, in this case, instead of cut 29 being pro vided normal to out 40, it is positioned at an angle thereto, while out 20 is formed with an angular cut 52 at its lower end, the two outs being designated as 5| and As appears in Figure 8, cut 5| is normal to out 5'2 and is formed with its inner end at the same radial distance from center 23 of the corner as the inner end of cut 51 so cut 5| inter-engages cut 52. By forming the two cuts at an angle to cut 40, the final corner is possessed of greater rigidity.

While I have disclosed the preferred embodiment of my invention in detail, '11 do not wish to be limited in my protection to such details as the. specific embodiments disclosed are susceptible to change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit of my invention. For example, a container may be constructed with the end walls of the same height as the side walls by foreshortening the end walls or by increasing the height of, the side Walls. The modifications or embodiments shown are particularly suited to the display of articles such as doughnuts and to the wrapping of these in the usual cellophane or waxpaper heat sealing and wrapping machines. Also, in place of providing an open container, as the form illustrated provides, additional elements can be included to provide a top or closure means so that a box is provided. Also, in case the corner to be formed is one in which the several ele.-. ments are to be at an angle greater. or less than 90 then the angular value to be employed in providing cuts 2 ll9, 29-.20 and 5l52 in the proper relationship can be suitably altered.

To facilitate assembly of any of the forms depicted, I have indicated in Figures 9 and 12 the provision of additional cuts 5!. Each of these cuts is preferably ofifset slightly from the fold lines It so that edge 52, defining one side of cut .40 on wing 15, will seat upon the material between cut 5| and the fold line I0. In the form of device shown inFig ure 9, the. cuts 5| are shown as continuing in. the same direction as cut l9 while in Figure 12 the cuts are shown as. extending in a direction opposite to cut IS. The form (Figure 9) in which the cut extends in the same direction as cut 1 9 is preferred, inasmuch as it simplifies manufacture and enables the tongue so provided to spring out of the way and permit the entering portion of. wing i5 to thread in easily. Also, when wing portion 33 is threaded into position, as appears in Figure 11. it tends to spread out away from side wall 9, thus locking the corner very securely.

'chips are quite fragile yet, because of their irregular size and shape, they are difficult to package, and heretofore they have never successfully been placed in a carton. Their packags ing in bags is undesirable because of thedifiiculty attendant upon the operation and because the bag ofiers so little protection. Referring to Figure 13, I have showna suitable carton blank manufactured. as Iv have prevoiusly indicated in, connection with Figures 1 through 12. However,

in this instance, end portion ll includes another endportion 6| having a wing 62 defined by a score line 63 and by cut 64 separating it. from'the end portion ll. Also, in end portion ll, cuts 7 66, 61 and 68 have been provided corresponding respectively to cuts [9, 20 and 5| in the previously described structure. :In operation, the end 5| is. first made up,'Wing-62 being threaded into cuts 66, 61 and 68 until. .cut 65 engages with cut package. The package can then be wrapped with wax paper, or cellophane or the like, or, if desired, the extent of end section 6| can be such that a complete closure is provided for the top of the package. 1

In addition to the packaging of potato chips, the carton is readily suited to the packaging of numerous other products. in addition to these. Further, it is believed to be obvious that the package can be formed about a previously positioned product. For example, the container is readily formed about a previously positioned mass of butter, weighed out and formed into suitable shape.

By reason of the extensivesurfaces in engagement between wing I 3 and the side wall 9, as

appears in Figures 2 and 3,,for example, the container of the present invention is particularly suited to the use of a heat sealing'composition, the areas being so extensive that sufficient of this composition can be provided tosecure a relatively great degree of adherence between the abutted surfaces. In addition, the container of the present'invention is particularly suited to manufacture of astructure in which the end walls extend above for a considerable distance the side walls 9, in this position the end walls having sufficient strength to support additional cartons positioned upon them whereby they can be stacked readily, a matter of considerable advantage in the handling of the containers prior to and after packaging of a commodity therein.

I claim:

1. In a folding box having a bottom, a side wall hingedly connected to said bottom along a side fold line, an end wall hingedly connected to said bottom along an end fold line intersecting said side fold line at the box corner, a top Wall hingedly connected to said end wall along a top fold line, an end wall side flap hingedly connected to said end wall, said side flap being foldable into face-to-face position with said side wall, said side wall having a out side edge at the corner forming an anglewith the side fold line equal to the angle which said end panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, an improved glueless interlock for maintaining said several walls in box forming position with respect to one another, said interlock being formed by an internal cut'of bent outline in said side wall forming an internal tongue in said side wall adapted to be resiliently flexed with respect to the remainder of said side wall, the tip of the internal tongue extending towards the side flap when said side flap is moved into locking position about said bottom fold'line, said side flap having an external out extending into, it from an outer edge, said external cut coin-, aiding in interlocking position Witha portion ofsaid internal. cut in line-to-lineyas distnguished from point-to-point, coincidence,'said external cut forming an external tongue on said flaps resiliently deflectablev with respect to the remainder of said fiap, said external tongue. being bordered by said external .cut and at least an 1 outer edge of saidflap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said bottom fold line with said end fold.

line being less than thedistance from said point of intersection to theend of the internal cut farthest from the side fold line, said flap being partially insertable through said internal .cut

by a motion towards said bottom, whereby 'said' external tongue moves under said internal tongue and both tongues resiliently deflect each other with respect to the planes of the flap and wall of l.

which they form a part, respectively, said internal out and said external cut providing :cut edges on the respective wall and flap, portions of which in the position in which said side edge. abuts said end wall in edge-to-surface position:

are in substantial coincidence permitting an edge portion of one cut to engage the coinciding edge portion of the other out in edge-to-edge asdisother side of said portion of interlock, said ex-- ternal and internal tongue lying face-to-face and deflecting each other into said edge-to-edgeengagement of said cuts, the easily defiectable tip portion of each tongue lying next to the less easily deflected root portion of the other tongue and vice versa, whereby the inherent stiffness of the stock is utilized in assisting the respective edges automatically to snap into engagement and remain in engaged position thus maintaining the several box walls in box forming position.

2. An improved glueless corner construction for folding boxes for assembling, in corner forming relationship, 25 main-panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines formingan angle and a flap hinged to one of the Wall panels along the side of said one wall panel, the flap being foldable over the outside of the other wall panel when the panels are in corner forming position, the other wall panel havinga out side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle which said one'panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, the corner construction being further characterized by an in-' terlock comprising, an internal cut'of bent outline in said'other wall panel forming an internal" resilient tongue in said other wall panel point' P ing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner'forming position, the internal tongue, upon flexing with respect to the remainder of said other wall panel, forming a wedge-shaped opening in said other wall panel into which said flap may be swung, said flap having an external cut extending into it from an outer edge, said external cut coinciding in interlocking position with a portion of said internal cut in line-to-line, as distinguished from point-to-point, coincidence, said external cut forming an external tongue on said flap, said external tongue being bordered by said external cut and at least one outer edge of said flap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said fold lines being less than the distance from said point of intersection to the end of said internal cut farthest from the fold line of,

substantial coincidence permitting a coinciding edge portion of one cut to engage an edge portion of the other out in edge-to-edge as distinguished from ,point-to-point position, the internal tongue and the external tongue pointin in opposite directions and deflecting each other to produce said edge-to-edge engagement of said coinciding cuts whereby the inherent stiffness of the stock is utilized in assisting the respective edges auto-' matically to move into engagement and remain in engaged position.

3. An improved glueless corner construction for folding boxes for assembling, in corner forming relationship, a main panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines forming an angle, and a flap hinged to one of the wall panels along the side of said one wall panel, the flap being foldable over the outside of the other Wall panel when the panels are in corner,

forming position, the other wall panel having a out side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle which said one panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, the corner construction being further characterized by an interlock comprising, an internal out of bent outline in said other Wall panel forming an internal resilient tongue in, said other wall panel pointing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner forming position, the internal tongue, upon flexing with respect to the remainder of said other wall panel, forming a wedge shap d opening in said other wall panel intO which said flap may be swung,v said flap having an external cut extending into it from an outer edge, said external out coinciding in ;in terlocking position, with a portion of said internal cut in line-to-line, as distinguished from pointto-point, coincidence, said external cut forming. an external tongue on said flap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said fold lines being less than the distance from said point of intersection to the end of said internal out farthest from the fold line of said other panel, said external tongue pointing in a direction opposite to that of the internal tongue when the panels and flap are in corner forming position, said flap being par,-

spect to the portion of edge-to-edge engagement,

so that the one end of the internal cut closest to theportion of edge-to-edge engagement/lies to one sideof said portion .of engagement and that the inner'end of the external cut liesxon the other side of J said portion of engagement said' external and said internal tongue lying face-toface and deflecting each other into edge-to-edge. engagement of said coinciding cuts, the easily deflectable tip portion of each tongue lying next to the .lesseasily deflected .root portion of the other tongue, and vice versa, whereby the inherent stiffness of the stock is utilized inassisting the respective edges automatically to move into engagement and remain inlengaged position. 4. An improved glueless corner construction:

for folding boxesfor assembling, in corner forming relationship, a. main panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines forming anangle, and a flap hinged to one of the wall panels. along the side of said one Wall panel, the flap being foldable over the outside of the other wall panel when the panels are in corner forming position, the other wall panel having a out side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle which said one panel forms with.

the main panel in the assembled corner, the

corner construction being further characterized by an interlock comprising, an internal cut of bent outline in said other wall panel forming a resilient internal tongue insaid other wall panel pointing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner forming position, the internal tongue, upon flexing with respect to the remainder of said other wall panel, forming a Wedge shaped opening in said other wall panel into which said flap may be swung, said flap having two spaced cuts extending into it from outer edges formingan external tongue thereon resiliently deflectable with respect to the remainder of said fiap, said cuts coinciding in interlocking position of the flap and said other wall panel with spaced portions of said internal cut in line-to-line, as distinguished from point-topoint, coincidence, said external tongue being bordered by said two external cuts and by an outer edge of said flap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersecon. of; Said fold lines. being less than the distance from said point of, intersection to the end of said internal cut farthest from the fold line of said other panel, said flap being partially insertable into said wedge-shaped opening through said internal cut by a motion towards said main panel, whereby said external tongue underlies said internal tongue and both tongues resiliently deflect each other, said internal out and said external cuts providing cut edges which,

in the position in which said side edge abuts said one wall panel in edge-to-surface position, are in substantial coincidence permitting edge portions of an externalcut to engage coinciding edge portions of the internal cut in edge-toedge, as distinguished from point-to-point, position, the internal tongue and the external tongue pointing in opposite directions and deflecting each other to produce edge-to-edge, as distinguished from point-to-point, engagement of said cuts, whereby the inherent stiffness of the stock is utilized in assisting the respective edges automatically to move into engagement and remain in engaged position.

5. An improved glueless. corner construction for folding boxes for assembling. in corner-form ing relationship, a main panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines forming an angle, and a flap hinged to one of the wall panels along the side of said one Wall panel, the flap being foldable over the outside of the other wall panel when the panels are in corner forming position, the other wall panel having a out side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle which said one panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, the corner construction being further characterized by an interlock comprising, an internal cut of bent outline in said other wall panel forming a resilient internal tongue in said other wall panel pointing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner forming position, the internal tongue upon flexing with respect to' the remainder of said other 'wall panel, forming a wedge-shaped opening in said other wall panel into which said flapinay be swung by a motion towards said main panel, said flap having two spaced cuts extending into it forming an external tongue there on resiliently deflectable with respect to the remainder of said flap, said cuts coinciding in interlocking position of the flap and said other wall panel with spaced portions of said internal cut in line-to-line, as distinguished from point-topoint, coincidence, said external tongue being bordered by said two external cuts and by an outer edge of said flap, said flap being partially insertable into said wedge-shaped opening through said internal cut, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said fold lines being less than the distance from said point of intersection to the end of said internal cut farthest from the fold line of said other panel, whereby said external tongue underlies said internal tongue and both tongues resiliently deflect each other, said internal cut and said external cuts providing cut edges which, in the position in which said side edge abuts said one wall panel in edge-to-surface position, are in substantial coincidence permitting edge portions of the external cuts to engage coinciding edge portions of the internal cuts in edge-to-edge, as distinguished from pointto-point, position, the ends of the cuts lying on opposite sides with respect to the portion of edgeto-edge engagement, so that the one end of the internal cut closest to the portion of edge-to-edge engagement lies to one side of said portion of engagement and that the inner end of the external cut lies on the other side of said portion of engagement, said external and said internal tongue lying face-to-face and deflecting each other into edge-to-edge, as distinguished from point-to-point, engagement of said cuts, the

easily defiectable tip portion of each tongue lying next to the less easily deflected root portion of the other tongue, and vice versa, whereby the inherent stifiness of the stock is utilized in assisting the respective edges automatically to move into engagement and remain in engaged position.

6. An improved glueless corner construction for folding boxes for assembling, in corner forming relationship, a main panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines forming an angle, and a flap hinged to one of the wall panels along the side of said one wall panel, the flap being foldable over the outside of the other wall panel when the panels are in corner forming position, the other wall panel having a out side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle :10 which said one panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, the corner construction being further characterized by an interlock comprising, an internal cut of bent outline in said other wall panel, one end of said internal cut terminating at the fold line at which said other wall panel joins said main panel, said internal cut forming a resilient internal tongue in said other wall panel pointing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner forming posibordered'by said external cut and at least one I outer edge of said flap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said fold lines being less than the distance from said point of intersection to the end of said internal cut farthest from the fold line of said other panel, said flap being partially insertable into said wedge-shaped opening through said internal cut by a motion towards said main panel, whereby said external tongue underlies said internal tongue and both tongues resiliently deflect each other, said internal cut and said external cut providing cut edges which, in the position in which said side edge abuts said one wall panel in edge-to-surface position, are in substantial coincidence permitting an edge portion of one cut to engage a coinciding edge portion of the other out in edge-to-edge, as distinguished from point-to-point, position, theinternal tongue and the external tongue pointing in opposite directions and deflecting each other to produce said edge-to-edge engagement of said coinciding cuts whereby the inherent stiffness of the stock is utilized'in assisting the respective edges automatically to move into engagement and remain in engaged position.

7. An improved 'glueless corner construction for folding boxes for assembling, in corner forming relationship, a main panel, two wall panels hinged to the main panel along fold lines forming an angle, and a flap hinged to one of the wall panels along the side of said one wall panel, the

flap bein foldable over the outside of the other wall panel when the panels are in corner form ing position, the other wall panel having a cut side edge at the corner forming an angle with the fold line of said other panel equal to the angle which said one panel forms with the main panel in the assembled corner, the corner construction being further characterized by an interlock comprising, an internal cut of bent outline in said other wall panel, said internal out having a first portion extending adjacent and substantially parallel to, but spaced from, the

fold line of said other wall panel, a second portion substantially normal to the first portion, and a third portion extending at an angle with respect to the second portion, said internal cut forming a resilient internal tongue in said other wall panel pointing towards the box corner when the panels are in corner forming position, the internal tongue, upon flexing with respect to the remainder of said other wall panel, forming a wedge shaped opening in said other wall panel 11 into which said flap may be swung, said flap having at least one external cut extending into said flap from an outer edge, said external cut coinciding in interlocking position with the said third portion of the internal cut in line-to-line, as distinguished from point-to-point, coincidence, said external cut forming an external tongue on said flap oppositely directedwith respect to said internal tongue in interlocking position, said external tongue being bordered by said external cut and at least one outer edge of said flap, the distance from the end of the external tongue to the point of intersection of said fold lines being less than the distance from said point of intersection to the end of said internal cut farthest from the fold line of said other panel, said flap being partially insertable into said wedge-shaped opening through said internal cut by a motion towards said main panel, whereby said external tongue underlies said internal tongue and both tongues resiliently deflect each other in the position in which said side edge abuts REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 472,797 McDonald Apr. 12, 1892 691,458 Ferres Jan. 21', 1902 1,575,467 Van Wagenen, Jr. Mar. 2, 1926 2,228,977 Wendt, Jr. Jan. 14, 1941 2,304,362 Huye 1 Dec. 8, 1942 2,366,419 Meller Jan. 2, 1945 2,475,279

Dunning July 5, 1949 

